Wooster Obama campaign office opens its doors
If one word could describe the Wooster Barack Obama campaign office, it would be passion. The group of volunteers is passionate about reelecting Obama and passionate about the community they serve.
Some of that enthusiasm is manifested as creative energy in the new office—posters, pictures, inspirational quotes and information round out the space on 135 N. Bever St. The office is also functional. It features computers, phones and plenty of room to complete the work.
“(We’re) making it the kind of environment that supports the President and also really focuses on why we’re here,” said Molly Young, summer fellow from The College of Wooster.
The office opened May 16 at 6 p.m. Opening night was filled with supporters packing the space and providing an exciting atmosphere. According to Young, the campaign has a core group of volunteers from the 2008 election. They will continue building on that support as the November election draws near.
“People are coming in, people are showing up, because in 2008 we had the largest grassroots group from this area and we’re going to do the same thing now. It’s a grassroots organization and we’ve started from the bottom up,” added Linda Houston, volunteer and phone bank captain for the campaign.
Volunteers can participate in the campaign in a variety of ways. Volunteers can work the phone bank, where they call supporters. They can canvas, where they visit homes and provide information and material regarding the President. Volunteers can also complete data entry in the office or just serve as another smiling face—maintaining the optimism the office emits.
The office represents volunteers from all over the country and will continue growing in future months. Young suggests anyone interested should stop by the office and check it out. Community members can pick up literature regarding the work Barack Obama has done in office, including information on health care and women’s issues.
“The main thing that it’s going to function as is the headquarters to elect Obama in Ohio. One of the things that we are doing is building the structure right here, right now, to all of Wayne County for this area,” Houston continued.
As the volunteers meet and talk with community members, they also provide information about registering to vote and completing absentee ballots. Young said she enjoys these kinds of opportunities within the community.
“I’ve always known Wooster via the college, but now I’m learning it via the community and that’s such a nice thing. I’m going to be a senior and it’s really nice to know what Wooster is without the college, because it is such a nice community. I feel like Wooster has given me so much, I feel like I owed it to know more about this community,” Young said.
Likewise, a group of The College of Wooster students will also offer support as they return in the fall. According to Houston, the group of students provided a great deal of assistance in the 2008 election. Young said she thinks the community is becoming better connected with the college because of the election, and this is always a good thing.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the office makes phone calls to supporters. On Saturdays and Sundays, the volunteers canvas the community. Those interested in canvassing can arrive at the office before 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays or before 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Some of that enthusiasm is manifested as creative energy in the new office—posters, pictures, inspirational quotes and information round out the space on 135 N. Bever St. The office is also functional. It features computers, phones and plenty of room to complete the work.
“(We’re) making it the kind of environment that supports the President and also really focuses on why we’re here,” said Molly Young, summer fellow from The College of Wooster.
The office opened May 16 at 6 p.m. Opening night was filled with supporters packing the space and providing an exciting atmosphere. According to Young, the campaign has a core group of volunteers from the 2008 election. They will continue building on that support as the November election draws near.
“People are coming in, people are showing up, because in 2008 we had the largest grassroots group from this area and we’re going to do the same thing now. It’s a grassroots organization and we’ve started from the bottom up,” added Linda Houston, volunteer and phone bank captain for the campaign.
Volunteers can participate in the campaign in a variety of ways. Volunteers can work the phone bank, where they call supporters. They can canvas, where they visit homes and provide information and material regarding the President. Volunteers can also complete data entry in the office or just serve as another smiling face—maintaining the optimism the office emits.
The office represents volunteers from all over the country and will continue growing in future months. Young suggests anyone interested should stop by the office and check it out. Community members can pick up literature regarding the work Barack Obama has done in office, including information on health care and women’s issues.
“The main thing that it’s going to function as is the headquarters to elect Obama in Ohio. One of the things that we are doing is building the structure right here, right now, to all of Wayne County for this area,” Houston continued.
As the volunteers meet and talk with community members, they also provide information about registering to vote and completing absentee ballots. Young said she enjoys these kinds of opportunities within the community.
“I’ve always known Wooster via the college, but now I’m learning it via the community and that’s such a nice thing. I’m going to be a senior and it’s really nice to know what Wooster is without the college, because it is such a nice community. I feel like Wooster has given me so much, I feel like I owed it to know more about this community,” Young said.
Likewise, a group of The College of Wooster students will also offer support as they return in the fall. According to Houston, the group of students provided a great deal of assistance in the 2008 election. Young said she thinks the community is becoming better connected with the college because of the election, and this is always a good thing.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the office makes phone calls to supporters. On Saturdays and Sundays, the volunteers canvas the community. Those interested in canvassing can arrive at the office before 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays or before 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Published: May 30, 2012
